Africa, 1750-1914

Political

Europeans venture farther into Africa's interior than ever before.
British take control of south Africa after series of battles known as the Napoleonic Wars (1799-1815)
Allows British to explore South Africa + its interior regions.
The Berlin Conference (1884-1885) laid down the laws to which the Europeans could colonize Africa.
Conflict in Belgian Congo where King Leopold ruled brutally over the native population.
So brutal, taxes so high, abuse, and forced labor made many humanitarians protest King Leopold regime.

Originally a mostly export continent. Exported mass amounts of slaves. Lots of natural resources to be found.
After Cecil Rhodes began his diamond mining, it brought many more imperialists to Africa to seek wealth in the natural resources.
As colonization grew, Africa's economy grew as well.

Originally had indigenous religions. There was a supreme creator, but there were also lesser spirits, often associated with geographical features. Dead ancestors also could influence the peoples lives if their descendants didn't honor them.
Islam became popular in commercial centers of west Africa and Swahili city-states. Africans blended Islam with the indigenous beliefs and customs.
Africans also followed Christianity, some believing that missionaries were missionaries and crosses could be worn to ward off bad spirits.
Dona Beatriz formed the Antonian form of Christianity and used it to try and end the wars in Kongo. She said Jesus was a black African and Kongo was the real Holy Land.

Kinship groups were the bases for social organization, and sometimes political organization, in early African society.
Interaction with Europeans brought new commodities such as textiles and european steel. They also got new food crops that expanded their diets.
Population went from about 34 million in the 1500sto 60 million in the 1800s.